Game and play apparatus for physically producing a travelling wave for propelling a wave-riding object therealong



Feb. 25, 1969 YANCEY 3,429,067

W. L.. GAME AND PLAY APPARATUS FOR PHYSICALLY PRODUCING A` TRAVELLING WAVE FOR PROPELLING A WAVE-RIDING OBJECT THEREALONG Filed May 13. 1966 Sheet 2 of 5 E. IE--l- E It- INVENTOR WAQQe/v L YA/vcfy Feb. 25, 1969 L. YANCEY W. GAME AND PLAY APPARATUS FOR PHYSICALALY PRODUCING A TRAVELLING WAVE FOR PROPELLING A WAVE-RIDING OBJECT THEREALONG Sheet 3 of 3 Filed May 13, 1966 'I//lllllll INVENTOR, WAQQE/v L YQ/vcsv United States Patent O 11 Claims Int. Cl. A63h 13/00; G09f 19/08; A63b 71/00 ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE The specification discloses game and play apparatus for physically producing a travelling wave (which in one preferred form of the invention simulates in appearance a beach wave such as that found in surf along a beach) for propelling along the crest of a wave a wave-riding object (which in one preferred form may simulate a human surfer or surf-rider) in a manner which very closely resembles the actual movement of a human surfrider or surfer on a Surfboard along the crest of a real, conventional beach wave. In certain forms, the waveriding object may alternately simulate a boat, a canoe, a fish, a torpedo, or some other desired type of simulation object which is desired to be propelled forwardly along the crest of the simulated wave for game or play purposes, and the invention in certain forms is also provided with score-indicating means for indicating the relative success or lack of success, or degree of achievement, attained by a particular player of the game who has initiated a propelling of his or her particular wave-riding object along the crest of the travelling wave.

Generally speaking, the present invention relates to apparatus which might be termed either game apparatus or play apparatus, or both, and which is intended to physically produce a travelling wave, which in one preferred form of the invention simulates in appearance a wave such as is found in surf along a beach, although the simulation is of greatly reduced size, perhaps of the order of one foot wide by five or six feet long, and simulating a portion of the wave of such beach surf equivalent to that which might be ridden by a surfer at a real beach.

The purpose of producing the travelling wave simulating a portion of a real beach surf wave is for propelling any suitable miniaturized wave-riding object therealong, such as a wave-riding object simulating a surfer on a surfboard, a canoe, a boat, a fish, a torpedo, or any other type of simulation object which it is desired to have propelled forwardly along the crest of the travelling wave for game or play purposes. If desired, two or more such waveriding objects may be caused to move along the crest of the travelling wave or the wave front thereof, either substantially simultaneously or one after the other, or in any other fashion desired for game or play purposes.

The apparatus may be provided with score-indicating means for indicating the relative success or lack of success, or degree of achievement, attained by a particular person who has initiated the propelling of his or her particular wave-riding object -simulating a surfer `along the crest of the travelling wave. This may be so arranged that a person may play with the apparatus by himself and observe his score correlated with the extent of the successful ride of the travelling wave by the simulated surfer comprising the wave-riding object, or two or more persons may make a game out of it by each operating the apparatus in a manner causing the propelling of his or her individual simulated surfer along the travelling wave with the resultant individual score of that person, or the sum of a plurality of successive such scores of that person, as compared to 3,429,067 Patented Feb. 25, 1969 the scores of other persons playing the game, determining the winner thereof.

In one exemplary form of the invention, the travelling wave is actually made up of a plurality of wave element members comprising a plurality of individual panel members, or card members, of flat, thin-sheet, relatively stiff material, each having a free top edge and a bottom edge effectively pivotally mounted with respect to a longitudinal framework means at a different longitudinal location spaced along the length thereof in a laterally directed manner relative to the longitudinal direction of said framework means and with each of said laterally directed panel members being in closely longitudinally spaced relationship to each other along said longitudinal framework means whereby to position the plurality of adjacent panel members in a manner such as to be adapted to be pivoted into a rear extreme and stable position in which they will normally remain and wherein said panel members are angularly rearwardly directed relative to a forward direction of said longitudinal framework means and wherein they partially rearwardly overlap and partially angularly rearwardly overlie one another. Also, it should be noted that the pivotal mounting of said plurality of panel members is such that they may be pivoted arcuately forwardly into a forward eXtreme and stable position in which they will normally remain and wherein said panel members are angularly forwardly directed relative to a forward direction of said longitudinal framework means and wherein they partially forwardly overlap and partially forwardly overlap and partially angularly forwardly overlie one another.

Each of the plurality of laterally directed longitudinally spaced panel members is normally adapted to be positioned in its rear extreme position, as dened above, and at least certain of said panel members (and, in certain forms of the invention, all of said panel members) are provided with biasing motor means adapted to bias the plurality of panel members toward said forward extreme position after they have been forwardly arcuately pivotally moved through a predetermined arc from said rear extreme position of each of said panel members to an upwardly angularly directed intermediate position which might be termed a release or triggering position. Thus, it will be understood that when all of said panel members are in said rear extreme position, they will remain therein until such time as the most rearwardly positioned panel member is controllably caused (usually manually controllably caused) to be moved `arcuately forwardly to said triggering or release position, at which time said biasing motor means becomes effective and positively causes further forward arcuate movement of said rear panel member into said forward extreme position.

Of course, in moving forwardly, said rear panel member will correspondingly move the next forwardly adjacent panel member forwardly to its forward extreme position, and this Will be true for each succeeding forwardly adjacent panel member, which will be sequentially arcuately forwardly moved from its rear eXtreme position into its forward extreme position, thus producing a travelling wave or wave front capable of moving a wave-riding object therealong in a forward direction.

Such a wave-riding object may simulate a surfer on a Surfboard or any other desired object, and when properly positioned on top of an adjacent group of said plurality of panel members in their rear extreme positions and followed by the forward travelling wave-triggering-andinitiating action described above, said surfer-simulating wave-riding object will be carried along the crest or wave front of the travelling wave in a manner very closely simulating the riding of a real wave by a real surfer on a real Surfboard.

The previously-mentioned score-indicating means may comprise numerical indicia on the backs of the panel members so that one can determine the score at the location along the plurality of panel members when, in their forwardly extreme positions, where the surfer-simulating wave-riding object has had what is known as a wipeout--that is, has fallen over in a manner simulating the falling from a Surfboard of a real surfer. It should be understood that the numerical indicia carried by the backs of the panel members will normally increase in value from the most rearwardly positioned panel member to .the most forwardly positioned panel member. For example, if a hundred panel members are pivotally mounted along the length of the longitudinal framework means, the most rearwardly positioned panel member may carry numerical indicia on the back thereof indicating zero and each successive forwardly adjacent panel member may bear on the back thereof numerical indicia of the next higher number, ranging from zero to 100, for example. Thus, a surfer-simulating wave-riding object which is able to ride the crest of the travelling wave approximately half-way along the complete length of the assembly of panel members -might achieve a score of approximately 50, while a surfer-simulating wave-riding object which manages to stay erect and ride the complete travelling wave from the rear end of the plurality of panel mem- -bers to the front end thereof would achieve a score of 100.

Additionally, various other score-indicating indicia may be carried by the backs of said panel members, such as a statement that a surfer-simulating wave-riding object is entitled to another attempt or is to be penalzed in some manner. There are a vast number of variations of possible score-indicating arrangements which could include rearwards and/or penalties of various types correlated with the degree of achievement of the surfer-simulating wave-riding object, both as to distance travelled and as to the spacial location of the path travelled, such as in a form of the invention where a pier-simulating structure is provided in the path of travel of the surfer-simulating wave-riding object, Obviously, if the surfer-simulating wave-riding object is able to shoot the pier, which` means to travel between the upright column members supporting the pier and not to strike same, he should receive a relatively large score, and if he merely passes .along either side of the upright columns supporting the pier, he should receive a lesser score; and the panel members or other beach-simulating means adjacent to the rear of the simulated pier structure may ybe provided with such scoreindicating means.

Certain forms of the invention `also contemplate various other game and/or scoring arrangements. For example, a simulated fisherman may sit upon a simulated pier structure and may carry a simulated fishing pole, fishing line, and fish hook in a particular location toward which a person playing the ga-me attempts to direct a fish-simulating wave-riding object when initiating forward movement of the travelling wave. The object is, of course, to cause the fish (which may be provided with an eye, ring hook, or other engaging means, if desired) to be hooked by the simulated sh hook, and this may be appropriately rearwarded to a very high score or by the winning of a game. This type of arrangement may be further modified by having Ithe simulated fish hook controllably movable, thus further complicating the game and making it possible for the game to be highly competitive for two players, with one player manipulating the simulated iish hook and the other player initiating and propelling the simulated fish. After playing a while, the two players might reverse their positions and operations. Fish-simulating objects of various sizes might be employed land could be correlated with the awarding of various scores depending upon the ditiiculty of catching the differently-sized fish.

Also, the apparatus lends itself very well to a modification where the wave-riding object comprises a simulated torpedo adapted to be propelled toward a simulated boat, which may be stationary or may be controllably oscillated, in some cases by an opposing player. The arrangement is such .that a score is attained or achieved when the travelling wave-propelled torpedo strikes the boat in a manner which is to be construed as sinking same. The boat may even be arranged to be toppled over when this occurs.

The above merely describes certain exemplary ways in which the apparatus may be employed for game purposes. However, the above brief indication of variations is not to be construed as limiting the invention thereto.

Also, it should be noted that the travelling wave may be caused to have an angularly directed component which, if desired, may change angular directions as the travelling wave moves forwardly-in other words, Ithe forward movement of the travelling wave may be such as to cause different lateral portions of a wave to be angularly inclined with respect to the longitudinal forward direction of movement thereof and! or to simulate a movement having a certain yaw component therein, thus simulating the varied conditions under which actual surfing occurs at various beaches.

Also it should be noted that the surfer-simulating waveriding object may be of an adjustable character so that a portion thereof simulating a surfer may be positionally adjusted relative to a portion thereof simulating a surfboard, thus changing the characteristics of the ride produced when the composite surfer-simulating wave-riding object is propelled along the crest of a travelling Wave produced by the plurality of panel members moving from their rearward extreme positions into their forward eX- treme positions,

In one exemplary form of the present invention, the hereinbefore-mentioned biasing motor means may merely comprise an elastic member such as an elastic loop, which may be made of rubber or any other similarly elastic material and which may be connected relative to a corresponding panel member at a location displaced from the bottom pivotal mounting thereof With respect to the longitudinal framework means and which also may be connected with respect to a part of said longitudinal framework means-the arrangement being such that the elastic loop is connected to the corresponding panel member in an effectively over-center manner whenever said panel member is in said rear extreme position thereof and remains so connected in said over-center manner until such time as said panel member is arcuately forwardly moved to said triggering or release position, at which time the over-center connection relationship of said elastic loop means between said framework means and said panel member becomes converted into an effective forward lbiasing connection therebetween, operative for causing arcuate forward movement of said panel member into said forward extreme position thereof.

With the above points in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel game and play apparatus for physically producing a travelling wave for propelling a wave-riding object therealong and which includes the features referred to herein generically and/ or specifically, either individually or in combination, and which is of extremely simple, inexpensive construction adapted for ready mass manufacture at a low cost per unit and which, in one exemplary form, is of a multiple element, controllably assembleable construction capable of being stored in a relatively small space volume prior to assembly at the point of use, whereby to be conducive to widespread production, distribution, and use of the invention for the purposes outlined herein.

Further objects are implicit in the detailed description which follows hereinafter (which is to be considered as exemplary of, but not specifically limiting, the present invention), and said objects will be apparent to persons skilled in the art after a careful study of the detailed description which follows.

For the purpose of clarifying the nature of the present invention, several exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the hereinbelow-described figures of the accompanying three sheets of drawings and are described in detail hereinafter.

FIG. 1 is a reduced-size, fragmentary, perspective view illustrating one exemplary embodiment of the invention with all of the panel members in the hereinbefore-mentioned rear extreme position prior to the manual initiation of a forwardly directed travelling wave of the type fragmentarily illustrated in FIG. 7, for example. Also, in this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the waveriding object comprises a simulated surfer.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, partially-broken-away and partially exploded view drawn to a somewhat larger scale than FIG. 1 and primarily illustrates the longitudinal framework means thereof and shows the detailed pivotal mounting means carried by a representative one of the plurality of panel members for cooperation with the corresponding laterally aligned pair of pivotal mounting apertures longitudinally spaced along the outer tubular side members of the longitudinal framework means-it being understood that the remainder of plurality of panel members are adapted to be similarly mounted and that the exploded junctions and transverse end members of the framework means are all adapted to be engaged together to provide the fully-assembled apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken substantially along a plane such as is indicated by the arrows and reference numerals 3-3 of FIG. 4 with all panel members, with the exception of the rear panel member, removed.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view taken substantially along the plane indicated by the arrows 4 4 of FIG. 3 and illustrates a group of panel members of the complete plurality thereof in their rear extreme positions.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the apparatus when in a position such as is illustrated in FIG. 4 with all of the panel members in their rear extreme positions as also illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the surfer-simulating wave-riding object of FIG. 1 drawn to a larger scale than FIG. 1 and shows said surfer-simulating wave-riding object by itself.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1, drawn to a somewhat larger scale, however, than FIG. 1 and shows the apparatus in operation with the surfer-simulating wave-riding object in the act of being forwardly propelled by a travelling wave produced by the sequential movement of the plurality of panel members from their rear extreme positions as shown in FIG. 1 into their forward extreme positions as shown fragmentarily in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view similar in some respects to FIG. 4 and to a portion of FIG. 7, but shows a representative portion of the plurality of panel members in their forward extreme positions.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of a representative few of the panel members when in their forward extreme positions and shows exemplary score-indicating indicia means on the backs thereof.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view generally similar to the bottom portion of FIG. 6 but illustrates a slight modification of the surfer-simulating waveriding object wherein the surfer-simulating portion is positionally adjustable relative to the Surfboard-simulating portion thereof for changing the characteristics of a ride along the crest of a travelling wave in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the plane indicated by the arrows 11-11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in section, taken substantially along the plane indicated by the arrows 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but illustrates a slight modification thereof wherein the panel members are rotatably mounted about transverse axes angularly displaced from a true later-al horizontal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the framework means, for producing a slight yawing effect in a travelling wave front.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of an exemplary one of the plurality of panel members in a slightly modified form.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar in many respects to FIG. 7 but illustrates a slight modification of the invention in a rather diagrammatic and schematic way, particularly with respect to the engagement eye or ring carried by the fish, which is actually in a plane transverse to the surface of the drawing.

FIG. 16 is another side elevational view very similar to FIGS. 7 and 15, but illustrates another modified form of the invention.

Generally speaking, the apparatus of the present invention comprises longitudinal framework means, one exemplary form of which is generally designated by the reference numeral 20 as best shown fragmentarily in FIG. 2. The longitudinal framework means pivotally mounts a plurality of wave element members comprising a plurality of panel members of flat, thin-sheet, relatively stiff material, as generally designated by the reference numeral 22.

Each of said panel members 22 has a free top edge 24 and a bottom edge 26 which is effectively pivotally mounted relative to the framework means 20 by the mounting means generally designated at 28 at the near side of FIG. 2 and clearly shown in FIG. 3 at both sides of the framework means 20. The pivotal mounting of the plurality of panel members 24 by the pivotal mounting means 28 with respect to the framework means 20 is such that each panel member 28 is adapted to assume either of two stable positions relative to the framework means 20. The two stable positions just referred to comprise a rear extreme position, such as is shown in FIG. 1 and shown in greater detail in FIG. 4 wherein each of the adjacent panel members 22 is rearwardly angularly inclined and partially rearwardly overlaps and partially rearwardly overlies the next rearwardly adjacent panel member 22, and a forward extreme position, such as is illustrated fragmentarily in FIG. 8 wherein each adjacent panel member 22 is upwardly and forwardly angularly directed and partially for-wardly overlaps and angularly overlies the next forwardly adjacent one of said panel members 22.

At least certain of the panel members 22 are provided with biasing motor means adapted to forwardly bias the plurality of panel members 22 for movement from the rear extreme position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 toward and into the forward extreme position, such as is best shown fragmentarily in FIG. 8, whenever the panel member 22 is controllably arcuately and pivotally moved forwardly through a predetermined arc and to a predetermined triggering or release position, after which said biasing motor means is fully effective for causing completion of the forward arcuate movement of the panel member 22 and forwardly adjacent panel members 22 into the forward extreme position best shown fragmentarily in FIG. 8. This is made possible by the nature of the biasing motor means, generally designated by the reference numeral 30, which comprises a double elastic or rubber loop 32 connected to a projection means 34 mounted in an engagement aperture 36 formed in at least certain ones of said panel members 22, and also connected to a corresponding engagement notch means 38 carried by a longitudinal central or intervening member 40` of the previously-mentioned framework means 20.

The connection of the rubber loop 32 to the engagement projection means `T94 and engagement notch means 38 is of what might be termed an over-center type whenever the panel members 22 are in the rear extreme position best illustrated in FIGS. l and 4. This is because an imaginary line, such as is indicated in phantom at 41 in FIG. 4, connecting the opposite points of attachment of the rubber loop 32 with respect to the engagement notch 38 and the engagement projection 34 lies below the pivotal connection of the corresponding pivotal mounting means 28, which is indicated in broken lines at 2S in FIG. 4, thus locking the panel members 22 in said rear extreme positions clearly shown in FIGS. l and 4.

However, as soon as any one of the panel members 22 is arcuately forwardly moved from its extreme rear position, as best shown in FIG. 4, toward its extreme for-ward position as best shown in FIG. 8, to what might be termed a triggering or release location such as is fragmentarily shown in phantom in FIG. 4 with respect to an exemplary rear one of said panel members 22 only, it will be noted that the phantom action line 41 of the rubber band 3-2 now lies in a position s-uch that even the slightest further forward movement will place it very slightly above the point of pivotal connection of the mounting means 28 of that particular panel member 22 so that thereafter the rubber band 32 will cause continued forward arcuate movement of the panel member 22 until it reaches its forward extreme position such as is best shown fragmentarily in FIG. 8.

In the exemplary form of the invention illustrated, the pivotal mounting means 28 of each panel member 22 comprises a pair of aligned inwardly oppositely directed mounting pins 42 formed integrally with the bottom inner edge 26 of the panel member 22 and adapted to extend inwardly into the corresponding aligned pair of laterally spaced apertures 44 of the longitudinal side members 46 of the longitudinal framework means `20, as is perhaps best shown in FIG. 3. This provides a very convenient pivotal mounting arrangement and because of the elastic or resilient nature of the materials of the framework means 20, makes it possible to readily engage the pins in the apertures 44.

It should be noted that FIG. 4 illustrates a rubber band 32 as being effectively engaged with respect to the engagement projection 34 of each of the panel members 22. However, the invention is not specifically so limited and it is possible to have only certain of the panel members provided with a biasing rubber band 32. This is made possible by reason of the fact that intervening panel members 22 not so specifically and individually biased, will be effectively biased by the engagement therewith of the adjacent panel members 22 which are provided with such biasing rubber band means 32. The major difference between an arrangement having a rubber band 32 connected to each panel member 22 and an arrangement having every other panel member 22 provided with a biasing rubber band 32, will be a difference in the net total biasing force acting upon the complete plurality of panel members 22 and, thus, the difference in the rapidity of forward movement of a travelling wave, such as is clearly shown at 48 in the process of travelling forward in FIG. 7, and which has the crest or wave front thereof generally designated by the reference numeral 49. When every panel member 22 is provided with a biasing rubber band 32, the travelling wave front or crest 49 will move forward with greater rapidity than when a fewer number of the panel members 22 are provided with biasing rubber bands 32.

In the exemplary first form of the invention illustrated, the framework means 20 comprises the previously-mentioned central or intervening longitudinal member 40 and the two previously-mentioned longitudinal side members 46, which may be of tubular conguration, either solid or hollow, and which may be provided with a plurality of engageable and disengageable junction means, such as generally designated at 50, comprising a male engagement element 52 and a mating female engagement element 54 which can be resiliently press-fit together to provide a firm, relatively rigid junction means 50. This makes it possible to sell, or initially supply, the device in knocked-down form for storage in a relatively smallspace-volume container and makes it possible for a purchaser thereof to assemble the apparatus by mounting the previously dismounted panel members 22 by positioning the pins 42 in the corresponding aligned apertures `44, and by firmly and rigidly connecting the various junction means S so as to form the complete f-ullyassembled apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

The framework means 20 may be provided -with lateral bracing members 56, if desired, and with end members such as generally designated at S8. Said end members 58 may have a plurality of the junction means Si? for mounting them across the ends of the three longitudinal members 46 `and 40.

It will be understood that the device can be made longer or shorter by reason of the novel assembleable and disassembleable construction of the framework means 20 best illustrated in FIG. 2 and described in some detail immediately hereinbefore.

The operation of the device is quite simple. A user of the device will normally manually engage the most rearwardly positioned panel member 22, such as the one shown at the extreme right of FIG. l, after a surfersimulating wave-riding object of the type generally designated at 60 has been placed thereon, and will forwardly arcuately move said rear panel member 22 until it reaches a position corresponding to the triggering or release position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 4 with respect to an individual exemplary one of the panel members 22, and this will result in the production of a travelling wave front or crest of the type generally designated at 49 in FIG. 7 and will forwardly propel the surfer-simulating, wave-riding object 60 therealong in a longitudinal direction from right to left, as viewed in FIGS. l and 7.

A major object, of course, is to initially position the surfer-simulating wave-riding object 60 properly with respect to the plurality of panel members 22 and to initiate the triggering or releasing of the travelling wave 48 in a manner such that the surfer-simulating, wave-riding object 60 4will travel as far as possible along the front of the travelling wave 48 from right to left before falling over or falling off of the wave front. At the so-called wipe-out location-that is, where the surfer-simulating wave-riding object 60 falls overthe person using the apparatus may look at the back side of the corresponding panel member 22, as is best shown in FIG. 9, and observe the scoreindicating indicia means 62, which has a value correlated with the extent of the forward travel of the surfer-simulatinrg wave-ridin g object 60.

It may also be another objective to cause the surfersiniulating wave-riding object 60 to pass between the upright supports 64 of the pier-simulating structure generally designated at 66 in FIG. l. If the person using the device achieves this objective, he will find that score-indicating indicia means may be positioned at the location generally designated by the reference numeral `68 for indicating the score which the player is to receive for having achieved this highly desirable objective. On the other hand, if the surfer-simulating, wave-riding object 60 misses the narrow passage defined `between the upright posts 64 and passes to either side thereof, which indicates less accuracy, a lesser score is visibly indicated by the score-indicating means 70 positioned at appropriate side locations on the rear panel member 72 simulating a sandy beach, or the like.

In the exemplary first form of the invention illustrated, the forward faces (and, in certain forms of the invention, the rear faces also) of at least the upper outer free edge portions 24 of each of the panel members 22 is provided with surf-simulating display surface portions, such as designated at 73, which simulate in appearance corresponding wave portions of real surf breaking on a beach when a travelling wave, such as is shown at 48, is initiated in the marmer previously described herein. This enhances the visual similarity to a real wave and real surf breaking upon a real beach and may be modified substantially or, in certain forms of the invention, may be eliminated entirely, if desired.

`One exemplary embodiment of a surfer-simulating wave-riding object is shown in FIG. 6, as generally designated at 60, and comprises a surfer-simulating portion 74 and a Surfboard-simulating portion '7 6 with the surfersimulating portion 74 mounted thereabove. However, under some circumstances it is desirable to be able to reposition the surfer-simulating portion with respect to the surfboard-simulating portion, and such -a modification is illustrated in FIGS. -12, wherein similar parts are designated by similar reference numerals, followed by the letter a, however. In this modification it will be noted that the surfer-simulating portion 74a has a bottom or foot portion 78 which removably slides into a U-shaped bracket 80 rigidly carried by the Surfboard-simulating portion 76a and is provided at the Ibottom thereof with a knurled or otherwise roughened surface `32 adapted to positionally adjustably engage a corresponding knurled or otherwise roughened top surface 84 of the base member I86 of said U-shaped bracket 80. This makes it possible to adjust the position forwardly or rearwardly of the surfersimulating portion 74a and thus change its effective center of gravity with respect to the Surfboard-simulating portion 76a, which has the effect of changing the subsequent ride along a travelling wave crest or front, such as that shown at 49 in FIG. 7 for example. It should also be noted that the surfer-simulating portion 74a may be positionally readjusted with respect to the surfboardsimulating portion 76a in a variety of other ways such as laterally, forwardly or rearwardly, or angularly, and that this may be accomplished by bending, rectilinear displacement, or rotational displacement of the surfersimulating portion 74a relative to the Surfboard-simulating portion 76a.

Also, it should be noted that the surfer-simulating portion 74a may be removed and replaced by another simulated figure of any desired type, size, configuration, bodypositioning, or center of gravity with respect to the Surfboard-simulating portion 7 6a.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but illustrates a slight modification of the invention wherein Iat least certain ones of the panel members have the pivotal mountings thereof in orientations slightly displaced from true laterally directed parallel relationship with respect to a longitudinal fonward direction of the framework means, such as is indicated `by the directional arrow 88 of FIG. 13. In this view, parts corresponding to those of the earlier form of the invention are designated by similar reference numerals, followed by the letter b, however. It will be noted that the rst three panel members 2217 at the left of FIG. 13 have their pivotal mounting means 2gb angularly inclined with respect to a true transverse line, such as is shown in phantom `at 90 in FIG. 13, in contrast to the true transverse mounting of said pivotal mounting means 28 of the first for-m of the invention with respect to said true transverse line 90, as is best shown in FIG. 5. The right four panel members 22h of FIG. 13 are oppositely inclined and the middle panel member has a position between the left and right inclinations just referred to. This is -accomplished entirely by correspondingly varying the spacing of the mounting apertures, such as those shown at 44 in FIG. 2 of the first form of the invention, and results in producing a slight yawing effect to the travelling wave adapted to Abe produced by the plurality of differently oriented panel members 221) of the FIG. 13 modification of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a single modified panel member 22e which is similar to those of the first form of the invention as shown at 22 except for the fact that the top outer free edge 24e thereof is shaped in a manner simulating the shape of a corresponding real wave of real beach surf. In other words, it is contoured rather than being straight across and this enhances the effective simulation produced by a plurality of such modified panel members 22C.

FIG. 15 illustrates a further modification of the invention wherein the wave-riding object 60d no longer simulates a surfer on a Surfboard, but simulates a large fish with an engagement eye, ring, or hook 92 thereon which is adapted to be engaged by the simulated fish hook 94 carried by the simulated fish line 96 and simulated fishing pole 98 in the hands of the simulated fisherman 100 sitting on the end of the pier 66. The object is for a person to propel the fish 60d forwardly and try to cause it to engage the hook 94 or to have another person rotate or move the fishermans body 100 in an attempt to engage the eye, ring, or hook 92 as the fish 60d is propelled toward the pier 66. It should be noted that the eye, ring, or hook 92 is, for purposes of drawing simplicity, shown located out of its proper plane in FIG. 15. Actually, it would normally lie in a plane transverse to the surface of the drawing and, therefore, the opening in the eye, ring, or hook 92 would not be seen in FIG. 15. This would necessitate another view perpendicular to the eye, ring, or hook 92 merely for the purpose of showing the opening therein. Therefore, it has been shown in somewhat diagrammatic and schematic manner in FIG. 15 wherein the opening can be seen, but it should be specifically understood that normally it lies in the transverse plane referred to above. It should also be noted that various other types of engaging means may be employed, and these may be of mechanical, adhesive, magnetic, or other appropriate types capable of bringing about engagement therebetween when the desired degree of physical proximity is achieved. Corresponding parts of this modification are designated by similar reference numerals, followed by the letter d, however.

FIG. 16 illustrates a further modification of the invention wherein the wave-riding object 60e is different from the earlier forms and simulates a torpedo adapted to be propelled by the travelling wave crest or front 49e toward a boat or ship 102, which may be either stationary or controllably moved, either automatically or by a game opponent, with the objective of striking the bullseye 104, which results in a score for the person propelling the torpedo-simulating wave-riding object 60e. In some cases, the boat or ship 102 may be arranged to fall over or collapse when the bullseye 104 is squarely struck by the torpedosimulating wave-riding object 60e.

Either of the versions of FIGS. 15 and 16 may be individually played or may be played as a two-person game in the general manner indicated hereinbefore.

The panel members 22 may be made of plastic or may be made of various cardboard, paperboard, or fiber materials, either plain or surface-plasticized, and the framework means 20 may be made of suitable plastic tubing or rod material. This provides a desirable-type construction, but it should be noted that the invention is not specifically so limited and actually, the framework means 2f) may comprise wooden members with staples along the tops of the side members 46 for pivotally mounting the panel members 22 and with hook members mounted along the upper surface of the intermediate member 40 in lieu of the engagement notch means 38, if desired, or various other substantially equivalent constructions may be employed in lieu thereof.

It should be understood that the figures and the specific description thereof set forth in this application are for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present investigation to the precise and detailed specific structure shown in the figures and specifically described hereinbefore. Rather, the real invention is intended to include substantially equivalent constructions embodying the basic teachings and inventive concept of the present invention.

I claim:

1. Game and play apparatus for physically producing a travelling wave for propelling a wave-riding object therealong, comprising: a plurality of wave element members taking the form of panel members of flat, thin-sheet, relatively stiff material having free top edges and effectively pivotally mounted bottom edges positioned in similarly laterally directed, closely longitudinally spaced relationship to each other such that, when a plurality of adjacent ones of said panel members are rearwardly pivoted into rear extereme positions, they partially rearwardly overlap and angularly overlie one another in stable rear orientations, and such that, when forwardly pivoted into forward extreme positions, they partially forwardly overlap and angularly overlie one another in stable forward orientations; framework means having a rear end and a forward end; pivotal mounting means pivotally mounting said panel members with respect to said framework means; at least certain of said panel members being provided with biasing motor means effective only in a limited forward range of pivotal movement thereof and, in said range, normally biasing said panel members toward said forward extreme positions thereof and being connected in an ineffectual manner with respect to said panel members when they are in said rear extreme positions in a manner such as to be incapable of causing forward pivotal movement of said panel members from said rear extreme positions thereof toward said forward extreme positions thereof until a rear panel member is controllably pivotally moved forwardly beyond a predetermined triggering and release point at the rear end of said limited forward range of pivotal movement.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each biasing motor means is ineffectual for causing forward pivotal movement of said panel members when in said rear eX- treme positions by reason of being connected to the corresponding panel member in an over-center relationship when the corresponding panel member is in said rear eX- treme position, thus causing said biasing motor means to become effective and operable for forwardly pivotally moving the corresponding panel member only after it has been otherwise initially moved pivotally forwardly into position just forward of said triggering and release point and a rear arcuate region where said biasing motor means is connected in said over-center relationship relative to said panel member and lying immediately arcuately behind said limited forward range of pivotal movement thereof.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said framework means comprises longitudinal framework means extending longitudinally forwardly from said rear end thereof toward and forwardly terminating in said forward end thereof; said pivotal mounting of said panel members comprising the pivotal mounting by said pivotal mounting means of each of said bottom edges of said plurality of panel members at a different longitudinal location spaced along the length of said longitudinal framework means in a laterally directed manner relative to the longitudinal direction of said framework means and with each of said laterally directed panel members being in closely loingitudinally spaced relationship to each other along said longitudinal framework means for movement of said free top edges of said plurality of panel members pivotally forwardly from said rear extreme positions thereof in a forward longitudinal direction f movement of a travelling wave to be produced by sequential forward movement thereof into said forward extreme positions thereof.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said pivotal mounting means of each of said panel members comprises a pair of aligned oppositely substantially horizontally directed mounting pins formed integrally with the bottom edge of said panel member, longitudinal framework means comprising a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal, substantially parallel, side members and a longitudinal substantially parallel intervening member provided with a plurality of laterally directed interconnection members and with said pair of side members being provided with a plurality of laterally directed apertures adapted to pivotally receive the pivotal mounting pins of the corresponding ones of said plurality of laterally directed longitudinally spaced panel members.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein each of said biasing motor means comprises elastic loop means, said longitudinal intervening member of said framework means being provided with a plurality of engagement notch means longitudinally spaced therealong and adapted to engage corresponding portions of the plurality of elastic loop means comprising said plurality of biasing motor means, at least certain of said panel members being provided with engagement means adjacent to but spaced upwardly and outwardly from the bottom edge of corresponding panel member and being adapted to engage and receive corresponding opposite portions of the plurality of elastic loop means comprising said plurality of biasing motor means.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said framework means includes a plurality of controllably engageable and disengageable junction means and a plurality of separate framework portions joined together by said junction means whereby to make it possible to controllably assemble and disassemble said framework means.

'7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the free top edges and adjacent surfaces of said panel members are provided with surf-simulating display surface portions to simulate in appearance corresponding wave portions of real surf breaking upon a real beach when a travelling wave is initiated by controllably moving a rear one of said panel members pivotally longitudinally forwardly beyond said predetermined triggering and release point.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said free top edges of said panel members are shaped in manners simulating the shapes of corresponding real surf wave portions.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein adjacent ones of at least certain of said plurality of panel members have the pivotal mountings of the bottom edges thereof in orientations slightly displaced from true laterally directed parallel relationship whereby to produce a travelling wave action wherein different lateral portions of a simulated wave appear to move in a forward longitudinal direction and to simulately yaw to a predetermined extent.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, including a waveriding object adapted to simulate a real object.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said wave-riding object comprises a portion simulating a human surfer and a portion simulating a Surfboard, with said portions being controllably adjustably engaged to permit adjusting the human surfer-simulating portion relative to the Surfboard-simulating portion as to relative position and orientation and such as to permit replacing the human surfer-simulating portion with another and differently shaped and positioned human surfer-simulating portion.

References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,836,115 12/1931 Gueydan 273-86 2,314,508 3/ 1943 Monteleone 40-106.51 X 2,402,390 6/ 1946 Gardner 46-1 3,190,652 6/1965 Dunn 273-86 3,283,439 ll/l966 Rosen 273-86 3,283,440 11/1966 Rosen 273-86 3,315,404 4/ 1967 Rosen 273-86 X FOREIGN PATENTS 548,858 4/1932 Germany.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

